Gershman Graduate Center

Artist: Joseph Bell DeRemer, Architect

Commissioned by: University of North Dakota

Installation: 1902

Location: University of North Dakota Campus

Description:

1902
The Oxford House was built as a home for UND presidents. It is said to have been the first home in the city wired for electricity at the time of construction. Its construction was aided with money loaned from President Webster Merrifield and his new wife, Elizabeth Bull, widow of the Cream of Wheat Company founder.

Architect Joseph Bell DeRemer designed the Colonial Revival mansion as a showplace, featuring a ballroom, three fireplaces, stained glass and all the modern conveniences of a time: speaking tubes, a dumbwaiter, and the “most sanitary construction.” It remains the oldest standing building on campus.

1955
President George Starcher moved into a new official residence, and Oxford House became a men’s dormitory.

1963
The UND Art Department moved in for a seven-year stay.

1973
The house was saved from scheduled demolition and listed in the National Register of Historic Places, which qualified it for matching federal funds. It was then restored, with help from major gifts from the Myra Foundation, the Campbell family foundation, and the estate of W. Kenneth Hyslop.

1981
The J. Lloyd Stone Alumni Center was named in honor of J. Lloyd Stone; the staff of the UND Alumni Association and Foundation moved in that year. J. Lloyd Stone had revitalized the University of North Dakota Alumni Association after World War II; he served as its executive vice-president for 29 years.

2012
UND Alumni Association & Foundation staff relocated from the J. Lloyd Stone House to the newly built
Gorecki Alumni Center.

2018
The building restoration was designed by JLG Architects of Grand Forks. They began work in October 2018 and completed it in June 2021.

2020
Thanks to generous benefactors Hal and Kathy Gershman, and after many months of design discussions among the Provost's Office, Graduate School, Architects, Facilities, UND Foundation, Donors and current graduate students, the renovation began. It included upgrades and reinforcement of the foundation, mechanical and electric systems, elevator, pillars, roof, windows, flooring and landscape. Accessibility to the balconies was improved, and period-specific lighting, drapery, wall-covering, and other furnishings were carefully chosen and installed throughout the building.

2021
The Gershman Graduate Center opened August 2, 2021.